I’m always intrigued when Urban Decay comes out with a new release. Let’s face it: they are the leader of the pack when it comes to amazing eye shadows and the palettes that host the shades. My first real step into the high-end beauty world was an Urban Decay eye shadow that I still have in my collection with a sense of nostalgia (hello, “Lost”). Next came my first shadow palette with a purchase of Naked 3. I find their products to be creamy, pigmented, and so easy to come up with looks that go from day to night. Their newest release – the Born to Run palette ($49) – does not stray from the Urban Decay norm. Along with the shadow palette comes three gorgeous lipsticks ($18), three 24/7 eyeliner pencils ($21), and a re-packaging of my go-to All Nighter setting spray.
As a Jersey girl with Bruce Springsteen roots the Born to Run name lives near and dear to my heart. The collection is based around the idea of having one palette that can host multiple looks; going from sunrise to sunset, city to city, and everywhere in between. This past year has been filled with traveling for me so I love the idea of having one palette that I can throw in my travel beauty kit and go. I’ve brought this on multiple trips lately and find that it suits all of my plans.
LINERS & LIPS
I am a huge fan of the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils and these are no exception. All three shades within the collection are metallic, which adds a gorgeous glow to your eye look:
Double Life | reddish-brown metallic
Overdrive | deep green metallic
Lucky | dark metallic copper
The formula is amazing and sets all day so I don’t need to worry about smudging. As it is waterproof based it is also perfect for the Summer months. I’ve been wearing Lucky in my lower waterline when I want a more dramatic look for nighttime and have been smudging out Overdrive on a nude eye when I want a pop of color.
The Born to Run Vice lipsticks are the a great mix of neutral and dramatic. They’re a great fit within the larger collection as they have the range to play off whatever eye look you aim to do. All three shades are highly pigmented and long lasting:
Ready? | bright rose sparkle, metallic
66 | rich mauve-nude, comfort matte
Marfa | dark berry with pink micro-shimmer, comfort matte
Ready? is the shade I’ve been playing with the most. I love applying a thin coat all over the lips then topping with a clear balm – something like the Glossier balm dot com. The metallic plays off the light so well and is a fun way to introduce sparkle that still feels grown up.
SHADOW PLAY
The eye shadow palette is my favorite of the collection, which is to be expected. Within the 21 shades – only 5 which have been from previous collections – there is a great mix of neutrals and colors. I find every shade to be wearable in one way or another. The colors tend to lean warmer and there are more shimmers than not, but that is what I prefer in my shadows.
For a daily look I love to use “Ignite” all over the lid with a mix of “Baja” and “Riff” in the crease. “Blaze” also is the perfect shade to blend onto the brow bone and inner corner for an eye highlight.
When I want a more bold look I love to use “Wanderlust” – a forest green with gold micro-shimmer – or “Radio – a deep emerald satin – as a wash all over the lid. As long as I blend out the edges I find even the most bold shades to still be wearable and flattering.
The packaging of this palette differs from the Naked palettes’ metal casing. The Born to Run palette is made of heavy plastic that feels expensive and like it’ll keep my shadows safe while they are hosted in my suitcase. There’s nothing worse then getting to a location and realizing that the airplane ride shattered metallic pigment all over your clothes. I also love how big and well made the mirror is that sits on the interior. It’s perfect for when there’s limited mirror space where you are or if the hotel lighting is terrible and you need to do your makeup near exterior lighting. The photo collage on the packaging is neutral to me. I do enjoy though that the photos are apparently from UD employees’ travels across the Globe. They seem fitting for the wanderlust loving end-user.
As expected this collection fell nowhere short of my expectations. Although the lipstick shades are probably the least worn for me, I reach for the palette, liners, and setting spray on a daily basis. I’ve taken them with me on every trip since I’ve received the collection and have never felt like I was ill prepared.
NOTE: products gifted by Urban Decay for review.
